Anniversaries

Births: Henry III, King of England, 1207; Paul I, Tsar of Russia, 1754; Sir Robert Smirke, architect, 1781; Annie Besant, social reformer and theosophist, 1847; Stanley Holloway, actor and entertainer, 1890; Louis Untermeyer, author and editor, 1885.

Deaths: Pierre Corneille, playwright, 1684; Don John of Austria, soldier, 1578; Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, painter, 1873; Roy Harris, composer, 1979.

On this day: the News of the World was first published, 1843; Austria issued the first postcards, 1869; the People's Republic of China was proclaimed, 1949; Nigeria became independent, 1960.

Today is the Feast Day of St Bavo or Allowin, St Melorus or Mylor, St Remigius or Remi, St Romanus the Melodist and St Therese of Lisieux.